Van security after theft

[slimsurf1]

Hi

We have a Knaus box life ( it’s a panel van shape) sadly this was stolen last night )

We have a tracker and I’ve recovered the vehicle this morning but they have destroyed the ignition ( barrelled it). They have also damaged some of the trim in the cab presumably checking for a tracker

We live in London and worried this may happen again


Questions.
1. What are people using for van security I’m now considering deadlock fitting and a retrofit alarm and steering wheel lock and wheel clamp
2. Any suggestions of where /how to get the trim replaced
3. The guy from the tracking company suggested fitting a kill switch to the fuel pump and suggested this could be done for just a few quid

Any comments on the above and suggestions gratefully received. We love our van but also can’t splurge on every single security device going so would be grateful to the forum for advice

 

[Soycd]

We have the full Vanbitz Raptor setup but I also have a steering wheel lock and when we go away without the van I put on a wheel lock as well. Last week I fitted a Oxford motorcycle lock to fix the driver seat in the reverse position. I think visual stuff is almost as important as the unseen, alarms, ODB isolator, tracker etc. etc. It's not impossible to drive the van with the seat turned through 180 degrees but it's another thing that might put them off.

 

[Pausim]

Insurance companies sometime insist on a tracker and sometimes give a discount for having one. They don’t seem to give a toot about any other devices. No harm in making your van look more difficult to nick but if the scrotes want it they will find a way to nick it.

 

[Ingwe]

I hate Stonehenge and the sooner someone discovers it’s a fake the better

 

[Soycd]

Insurance companies sometime insist on a tracker and sometimes give a discount for having one. They don’t seem to give a toot about any other devices. No harm in making your van look more difficult to nick but if the scrotes want it they will find a way to nick it.

I think they insist on the tracker as it means there is more chance of them getting the van back to you, regardless of any damage caused.

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[WESTY66]

I think they insist on the tracker as it means there is more chance of them getting the van back to you, regardless of any damage caused.

Yeah after it’s been nicked and dumped 4 miles down the road either getting stripped, burnt out or or sat waiting to be picked up!!
Yet they won’t give a discount for the non starter that can stop it being started and moved to be stripped or set alight in the first place BONKERS!!

 

[Richard n Ann]

I fitted external Thatcham deadlocks on my van, great because they are visible. Also Oxford Patriot motorcycle disc lock on the drivers seat base.

But the best thing by far is to get it in a garage, I raised the roof and lengthened the garage so it fit in

 

[Coolcats]

I fitted external Thatcham deadlocks on my van, great because they are visible. Also Oxford Patriot motorcycle disc lock on the drivers seat base.

But the best thing by far is to get it in a garage, I raised the roof and lengthened the garage so it fit in

View attachment 923646

Nice and a neat job, but one of these would cut that bolt easily, as there is a gap that will let the blade in...Don't ask how I know, but it should help deter the average thief

 

[offagen]

slimsurf1 does your tracker include an immobiliser operated remotely through an app? That's a really useful feature.

Did you mention whether you have an alarm fitted? I go along with the Vanbitz recommendation of others but, if time and distance are against you, take a look at what Moving Intelligence (Phantom) have to offer. We have one of their alarms and it suits us just fine with its ability to disarm the internal sensors at night but have all perimeter sensors activated while you sleep in the MH. It also works well if you have to leave a dog in there for a short while whilst still being alarmed. We have additional alarm sensors on all external locker doors too. The advantage from your current point of view is that Moving Intelligence have installers in many areas and some will come to you.

Vanguard Motorhome Alarm

This Phantom Vanguard Alarm has been designed specifically for our motorhome customers, to provide a premium level of security with plenty of options.

movingintelligence.co.uk

Clearly a combined alarm/tracker (like the MI Sentinal) from one company is advantageous because the alarm is 24 hour monitored as well as the tracker so you get notified as soon as the alarm is triggered but those systems are fairly costly and you already have a tracker that's been proven to work.

 

[slimsurf1]

Has anyone heard of meta alarms ?

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[AshVanBitz]

Has anyone heard of meta alarms ?

Meta are an Italian company that manufacture our alarm system. They also manufacture the Metatrak products which include our Shadow VTS S5 tracking system and Non Starter paging/immobilisation system. They have been servicing us with our many variations of security systems since the late 90's.

 

[slimsurf1]

Hi

Again thanks for all the suggestions

Deadlocks and plates are working out to approx £300 a door plus VAT 4 doors £1200 plus VAT (not sure if I can stretch to this now)
Killswitch have a quote for £60 + VAT (doing this)

Steering wheel possibly should have gone disk lock but have got the Stoplock Pro Elite - like the fact that it is so quick to put on and has fair reviews online - I think the idea of a removable steering wheel is genius

Wheel clamp -- Have bought a bulldog auto clamp - to be honest seems a bit fiddly and expensive

Swivel base lock -- Found this video and will likely do on our return don't think I will have time with work to sort this before leaving

Pedals will likely buy ATE Fabrications.

Alarm - agree the Vanbitz option is a very good one and fantastic service over the phone but with time constraints I think will be impossible (not their fault). Although they have contacted me with another date so will update if I manage this.

I must say very happy with the tracker we have Global telemetric


Further questions that I need answering

Any further suggestions for alarms/immobilsers other than vanbitz simply because getting down there on. day they can fit me in at short notice and actually getting the other bits of damage on the van fixed that the thieves did may be a challenge

Any advice as to an easy way to find the trim sections for inside the van front doors on the floor in the cab much appreciated and the cover for the leisure battery under the front seat photo attached (you can see the ignition in this series as well)

 

[slimsurf1]

Meta are an Italian company that manufacture our alarm system. They also manufacture the Metatrak products which include our Shadow VTS S5 tracking system and Non Starter paging/immobilisation system. They have been servicing us with our many variations of security systems since the late 90's.

Ash thanks - I had found an advert for meta alarms elsewhere hadn't realised yours is a variant of theirs although I have no doubt from the fanbase on the forum that the install and support is superb from Vanbitz

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I have a motion camera that picks up any movement by the doors.

Handy when you are out a few miles away you can watch them steal your van

 

[Brains]

I think stop worrying about getting this sorted before you go on holiday.
The time to sort this is when you get back.

Just in case the scrotes are passing your house now and again and looking for a second opportunity, at which point they may be turning up with a tow truck.
(Hence, always fit the wheel clamp to the rear wheels, which maybe the front wheel if you parked in nose first)

Therefore; On your return, see if you can park the MoHo somewhere else for a bit, and then arrange a date for your VanBitz visit.

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[Raul]

Handy when you are out a few miles away you can watch them steal your van

They can’t steal it, unless they come equipped with the missing parts required. That if they know which parts.

 

[slimsurf1]

also found this now that I am researching these things adding it in case this yhtrmd is any use to someone else in future

Clutch Claw in-car security device​

 

[Revolvor]

also found this now that I am researching these things adding it in case this yhtrmd is any use to someone else in future

Clutch Claw in-car security device​

I have a clutch claw which is easy to use, as well at a Patriot Disk lock for the front seat.

 

[Burge]

As said in an earlier Post #52 we're all wasting our money if they Jack it up & Tow it Off , just get a decent Tracker Fitted.

 

[Two on Tour]

As said in an earlier Post #52 we're all wasting our money if they Jack it up & Tow it Off , just get a decent Tracker Fitted.

And what percentage of motorhomes are nicked by lift and tow then, bugger all, so utter waffle.

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[eddie]

As said in an earlier Post #52 we're all wasting our money if they Jack it up & Tow it Off , just get a decent Tracker Fitted.

I can turn off ANY tracker on the market from outside the vehicle

Very few, if any motorhomes are nicked by being towed away, and the bigger they are the harder it becomes as anyone will know that has had to be recovered by the RAC, Green Flag or AA

 

[WESTY66]

I can turn off ANY tracker on the market from outside the vehicle

Very few, if any motorhomes are nicked by being towed away, and the bigger they are the harder it becomes as anyone will know that has had to be recovered by the RAC, Green Flag or AA

Any tracker????

 

[eddie]

The advantage from your current point of view is that Moving Intelligence have installers in many areas and some will come to you.

How is that an advantage’?

Unless you have a fully equipped workshop at your house, you end up with a bloke potentially working on your Motorhome in all weathers, wind rain, him getting wet! His tools getting wet, your motorhome getting wet, a fitter who has already had a potential long drive to get to you! and a long drive home as soon as he finishes it

Who inspects the finalised installation and signs his work off?

Van Bitz take the best part of a day, with two installers per motorhome to install a Raptor system, working in a nice modern workshop that can accommodate the largest motorhomes, and whilst the detailed installation notes are made ( for future customer support) another staff member inspects and tests the whole installation, all this prior to your demonstration and handover

 

[eddie]

Any tracker????

Yes, any tracker, which is why I developed the Non Starter, you arm it, I turn it off, you override me with your phone

 

[ShiftZZ]

We have vanbitz alarm, plus a disklok and when parked at home we lift the van on E&P and take the controller indoors.

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[Dejaybe]

Hi

We have a Knaus box life ( it’s a panel van shape) sadly this was stolen last night )

We have a tracker and I’ve recovered the vehicle this morning but they have destroyed the ignition ( barrelled it). They have also damaged some of the trim in the cab presumably checking for a tracker

We live in London and worried this may happen again


Questions.
1. What are people using for van security I’m now considering deadlock fitting and a retrofit alarm and steering wheel lock and wheel clamp
2. Any suggestions of where /how to get the trim replaced
3. The guy from the tracking company suggested fitting a kill switch to the fuel pump and suggested this could be done for just a few quid

Any comments on the above and suggestions gratefully received. We love our van but also can’t splurge on every single security device going so would be grateful to the forum for advice

Just had old alarm taken out and a Vanbitz growler fitted - great alarm as its independent from the Van key and outside flashing lights to deter theft - expensive but worth it - we got broken into in middle of night in France ( screwdriver punched through under drivers door lock to release central locking ) and alarm saved us as so loud they ran off - add pro plate over door lock to prevent the screwdriver driver trick !!

 

[SmithsInFrance]

I’ve posted before but the VanBitz immobiliser stopped my son’s MH being stolen, this is the mess they left but it was quickly sorted with the fantastic back up service.
Personally I’m less convinced about the alarm as I set it off once in a very busy seaside car park when I dashed back for a wee. Didn’t know how to disable it, so personal comfort came first and no one came to see why the alarm was going full pelt and the hab door was open.

 

[norfolkexplorers]

We are having hook bolt locks fitted to our V55 Rapido next week and are hoping this will be another deterrent

 

[offagen]

How is that an advantage’?

Unless you have a fully equipped workshop at your house, you end up with a bloke potentially working on your Motorhome in all weathers, wind rain, him getting wet! His tools getting wet, your motorhome getting wet, a fitter who has already had a potential long drive to get to you! and a long drive home as soon as he finishes it

Who inspects the finalised installation and signs his work off?

Van Bitz take the best part of a day, with two installers per motorhome to install a Raptor system, working in a nice modern workshop that can accommodate the largest motorhomes, and whilst the detailed installation notes are made ( for future customer support) another staff member inspects and tests the whole installation, all this prior to your demonstration and handover

Goodness Eddie, you really did get out of the wrong side of the bed didn’t you, but not early enough to have read the whole thread. However, you will have seen that I echoed the recommendation for Vanbitz (which you edited out when quoting me). A recommendation I have made on many occasions. If you had read the thread you would have seen that, despite several Vanbitz recommendations from others, the OP said that he didn’t really have the time (or inclination?) to make a trip to Somerset and was looking for possible alternatives. The ‘advantage’ I mentioned was that by using another MH security company he could potentially have the work carried out conveniently nearby, which may better suit his circumstances. Yes, having work done in a fully equipped workshop has its advantages but your wholesale dismissal of mobile services is not warranted. In my experience mobile operators can do an very good job. Perhaps it was my mentioning a competitor company that got you so flustered? Oh well….

 

[KASPAR]

Just pushed the button on a Patriot lock on Prime Day deal on Amazon, pay in 3.

Had a play with the drivers seat and figured how it will work, happy days.

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[eddie]

Goodness Eddie, you really did get out of the wrong side of the bed didn’t you, but not early enough to have read the whole thread. However, you will have seen that I echoed the recommendation for Vanbitz (which you edited out when quoting me). A recommendation I have made on many occasions. If you had read the thread you would have seen that, despite several Vanbitz recommendations from others, the OP said that he didn’t really have the time (or inclination?) to make a trip to Somerset and was looking for possible alternatives. The ‘advantage’ I mentioned was that by using another MH security company he could potentially have the work carried out conveniently nearby, which may better suit his circumstances. Yes, having work done in a fully equipped workshop has its advantages but your wholesale dismissal of mobile services is not warranted. In my experience mobile operators can do an very good job. Perhaps it was my mentioning a competitor company that got you so flustered? Oh well….

Not at all, I ran mobile installers before I realised that I would rather have my vasectomy in the hospital rather than in the car park as its "just as good"

And talking of competitors, of course Van Bitz are aware of them, as is often read about on MHF they unplug them and bin them on a regular basis, in seconds when they are plugged into the OBDP

But I am retired now so don't speak for Van Bitz, just a bloke that has installed more motorhome alarm systems than anyone else in the Country, a bloke that incidentally started out as a mobile installer in 1990 so do understand what can be done on a nice warm Sunny Summers day and the challenges the same installation presents when its cold wet and raining!